It hasn't been the best week for a major railway engineering project but an army of workers have persevered, and it looks like they will meet their deadline.

While many of us have preferred to stay in the warm out of the hammering rain and fierce winds brought by Storm Dennis last weekend and the week's subsequent unsettled conditions, a team from Network Rail have been replacing the deck of a 129-year-old railway bridge.

The work at Yetminster – which has led to the closure of the line between Weymouth and Yeovil all week and replacement buses arranged – is part of a series of improvements on the scenic Heart of Wessex route.

The bridge crosses the River Wriggle and trains at this location have had to run at reduced speed while passing over the historic structure. Replacing the deck will provide a new, a more reliable support for track and will mean improved journeys for passengers.

Network Rail said engineers had worked 'around the clock' to replace the deck of the bridge, which was completed on Tuesday night.

Teams will now install new track ready for the line reopening tomorrow. The project has been taking place over seven days,

Andy Parker, project manager for Network Rail Wessex, said: “The team has worked incredibly hard to make these improvements to the Heart of Wessex line, braving the rough conditions of Storm Dennis last weekend to ensure we made good progress.

“By replacing the bridge deck, we will have reached a significant milestone in the Yetminster project that when complete, will deliver a more reliable railway with better performing train journeys for our passengers.”

The line is expected to reopen ready for Saturday morning services.

Once work is complete on the bridge, there will be two further weekend closures on the Heart of Wessex line:

* Saturday, February 29-Sunday, March 1 – the line between Yeovil Pen Mill and Dorchester West will be closed whilst follow-up work is carried out at Yetminster river bridge

* Saturday, March 28-Sunday, March 29 – the line between Yeovil Pen Mill and Weymouth will be closed for track renewals at Chetnole and between Dorchester West and Weymouth

Passengers should check before travelling via gwr.com and also southwesternrailway.com